By VINCENT UJUMADU
NEW entrants into the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Anambra State picked the tickets of the party during the National Assembly primaries held at the three senatorial zones of the state on Wednesday.

Results made available in Awka yesterday showed that Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, representing Anambra South in the senate and former member of the House of Representatives for Onitsha North and South federal constituency, Mrs. Jessie Balonwu, as well as the member for Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo federal constituency,  Cyril Maduabum, who all recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to ACN won the primaries.

While Senator Obiora polled 5345 votes, his rival, Chief Chris Atuegwu, scored 1,023 votes for Anambra South senatorial zone.

Mrs. Jessie Balonwu secured the ticket for Anambra North, while the result of Anambra Central is still being awaited.

It was not clear at press time if the former governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, who was rumoured to be interested in the seat, is still going to pick the ticket.

For the House of Representatives for Nnewi North/South/Ekwusgo federal constituency, Maduabum who presently represents the constituency secured the party’s ticket. He beat his rival, Ben Chuks Nwosu by 3,169 votes to 820.

Also, the member for Onitsha North/South federal constituency, Mr. Gozie Agbakoba, Mr. Ozo Ughamadu of Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Ralph Okeke, who represents Anambra East/West federal constituency and Mr. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo, were also declared winners for Onitsha North/South, Awka North/South, Anambra East/West, and Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia federal constituencies respectively. Similarly, Mr. Bona Orakwe picked the ticket for Onitsha North state constituency.

The election was very peaceful in most of the venues, although the distribution of materials began late. Option A4 was adopted for the exercise. of voting was used by the party in the conduct of the primaries to ensure transparency and election of the choice of the people.

For the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) which also conducted its primaries, Mr. Christian Oti picked the ticket for Anambra south senatorial zone, while Mr. Nonso Madu picked the ticket for Orumba North/South Federal constituency.

Although the results of the primaries of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) were still pending as at the time of filing this report, Anambra state chairman of the party, Prince Chuba Ikeagwu said shortly after the exercise that the peaceful nature demonstrated the disciplined disposition of its leader, General Mohamadu Buhari.